fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
FM Forum Rules
Wedding Resource List
  

FM Forums | Wedding Photographer | Join Upload & Sell

1       2       3              end
  

Archive 2008 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."

  
 
Mike Mahoney
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #1 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


Yohan Pamudji wrote:
Look, folks. It's really not that hard to check with the church/venue far ahead of time to see what the restrictions are. Don't wait until the day before or the day of to find out that you're not allowed to photograph during the ceremony. Brides might not know well enough to ask, but you do, so do it. If you get caught out at the last minute because you didn't bother to ask ahead of time, that's your fault. As soon as I have a contract and know the venue, I get in touch with the contact person at
...Show more

Most clients sign up 12-18 months prior to the wedding and at the initial consult I discuss this with them, and when they sign my contract I make a point of going over the "House Rules" part of the contract.

So they are well aware that a officiant may place restrictions on their wedding ceremony photography. And IF THEY THINK IT MAY BE AN ISSUE THEN THEY HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

It is not my job to officiant shop for them.




Jul 07, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Zalllon
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #2 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


I agree its not the photographer's place, but it is definitely the clients to say something if they wish to have photos. This is what burns me about the whole Catholic church, they forget the that the church belongs to those that support it.

"Render unto Caesar ..."



Jul 07, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Stacy
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #3 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


Mike Mahoney wrote:
Just attended yet another rehearsal where I was told that there will be NO photography whatsoever during the ceremony .. none with flash,. none without flash, none period. I can shoot the precessional, the register signing, and the recessional. The bride was aghast.

So I sit in the back waiting for the recessional while 250 relatives snap away and the video guy props his tripod (and himself) right in front of the front pew.

There should be some kind of public register where officiants make there views on photography known, so that people can avoid them if they want. Hopefully that
...Show more

I agree 1000%. I had one like this (and no, it wasn't catholic! I have had good luck with catholic father's allowing me to photograph). He approached me right before ceremony and said no pictures... I said no pictures with flash, right, I know, I don't use flash durring the ceremony, I stand in the back of the church and put my camera on a tripod... he said "no - no pictures, no shutter clicks period". I said oh, ok... he said that's just the way they do things in that faith and continued on to explain the sanctity of the sanctuary and how photography violated that sactity... or something along those lines (this pastor was actually visiting from another church too - the church we were at wasn't even his church!). He also said he is willing to re-enact after ceremony for pictures... I talked to bride, and she wasn't thrilled but said, if that's what he said, that's what we have to go with. So there I sat at the back of the church, camera down, waiting for recessional (the only time I was allowed to take pictures). I was totally shocked when all the guests took pictures durring the entire ceremony - With FLASH! As soon as the ceremony was over I made a bee line to find him, when I did, he had already changed out of his clothes (so no re-enactment!), and I told him specifically "I just wanted to let you know that all those flashes were not me - you told me not to take pictures and I want you to know I did not - that all those flashes were from the guests". His response was, "yeah I know, usually they print it in the program that pictures are not allowed, but apparently they didn't this time". There I sat thinking - 'Yeah, like everyone reads the program, and even when they do, they don't follow the rule of no pictures'. I asked him about re-enactment - he said he didn't have time, he had to leave immediately! So client's wedding did not have any ceremony pictures at all.

I think if they are going to restrict the PAID photographer, they need to restrict the guests/videographers/others!!! It looks bad when the paid photographer doesn't get shots of the ceremony, but the guests do! I guess that's when I tried to start getting the officiators name & phone number before the wedding to call them... I have very few times gotten this info from my brides though... Usually they don't bother to give me that information, even if I specifically ask for it.

In contrast, I had a full latin mass catholic wedding, and the father was saying that he doesn't usually allow pictures. I explained to him how I shot ceremonies (i.e. no flash, camera on tripod at the back of the sanctuary), he decided to allow me to shoot... a little cautiously... but let me. I think he was happy with my attitude & actions - I asked him if I did everything OK, and he said, yes that he didn't even know I was there - I told him that's the difference of the really good pros Hopefully... if more of us can open this back up... things might change for the better...

But I think unless we at least black list these guys ourselves with future clients, they will continue to act that way, without any recourse.

I wish some photographers would start public lists though, accessible by brides & other photographers as well... just to be prepared... or for the bride to select another officiate or make appropriate accomodations to ensure photographic coverage of the wedding ceremony.



Jul 08, 2008 at 01:22 AM
jefferies1
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #4 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


I run into this a lot and now as part of my contract and sales meeting inform the couple some churches or church coordinators will not allow photos or limit access to the far corner of the room, like a child being sent to time out. And No they will not move the giant candle not being used so you can actually see the bride. They need to ask ahead of time about the rules so they can change venues if they do not agree.
In my area if you did try to shoot when not allowed they will just stop the ceremony.

I always wonder why a video camera can set-up almost on the alter and still shots are not allowed from a distance out of view.



Jul 08, 2008 at 02:50 PM
tomKphoto
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #5 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


I shoot anyway (discreetly) - sue me - proud to have a) the "you'll never shoot in this church again" verbal lash, and b) the experience of returning to those churches later as that director moved on to other oppressive posts.

Have I ever obeyed? Yeah - when they post a sign for all the guests or verbally give the request to all in attendance - but by no means to I obey any special requests of me.

Mike - I just got a couple of 40Ds too




Edited on Jul 08, 2008 at 04:40 PM



Jul 08, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Sarah Dickerso
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #6 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


Hi, newbie here who is just getting into this stuff. Speaking as a guest at several weddings this year, I have paid particular attention to the actions of the photographer(s) during the ceremony.

At two of the four weddings I have attended as a guest this year, the photographers were all over the place. I mean up on the altar, behind the b&g on the altar, standing in the MIDDLE of the stairs on the altar during the ceremony, up and down the aisles. There was one wedding in particular where the photographers were so obtrusive other guests were overheard saying stuff about it. I mean right in the thick of things during the ring exchange. I wonder how much of the restrictions we see are due to behaviours like this.

The other two weddings, the photographers were very stealth yet managed to move around and get shots. I studied what they did intently. They were super discreet and you wouldn't even notice them - I did, only because I'm trying to learn.




Jul 08, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Lynn Teague
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #7 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


This problem keeps coming up. The surprising part of all this is that the bride and groom don't find out about church policies when they first schedule a date at the church. The church should be giving them full information, and if they don't get it automatically, they should be asking. Then there is plenty of time for everyone to negotiate, rethink, find another location, or whatever. But the folks who've commented that this isn't a money-making proposition for churches are very right. Don't count on having the fee as leverage in negotiations. If there is a high fee, it is probably charged only to non-members, and intended to discourage use by non-members. From the point of view of the vast majority of clergy and congregations, they aren't maintaining the church building as a picturesque venue for profitable rental as a backdrop for photography. Your best leverage would be indicating that you're a professional who has worked in many settings with consistent respect for the dignity of the religious service, the place, and the participants.


Jul 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
nsieve
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #8 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


I would crouch way in the back and snipe away with the 70-200....doubtful anyone in the front would ever hear....


Jul 08, 2008 at 10:34 PM
nsieve
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #9 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


I think Sarah is on to something. Some photogs are out there going crazy making the wedding ceremony all about THEIR photos, rather than discreetly documenting the event. That's what is causing all these new rules on photographing the ceremony....


Jul 08, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Steverock01
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #10 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


Yep, blame the victims.... Worked for the church for a long time didn't it?

Edited on Jul 09, 2008 at 03:18 AM



Jul 09, 2008 at 02:14 AM
RedWhiteandRed
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.4 #11 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


Steverock01 wrote:
Yep, blame the victims.... Worked for the church for a long time didn't it?


Continues to work.



Jul 09, 2008 at 07:01 AM
dmacmillan
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.4 #12 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


This has been an eye opening thread. I'd like to respond to a couple of posts.

It has been suggested that the B&G changes churches, even religions if necessary, to have their wedding at a more professional photography friendly venue. It may be a reflection of the times, but most of my brides grew up in their particular faith and many grew up in he church where they were married. I wonder to what extent that's still true. If a bride has no particular attachment to the church, then she might as well shop around.

It was mentioned that the church belongs to those who support it. This is a fundamental change in attitude that's occurred in the last 50 years and is contributing to the downfall of mainline denominations, especially those which are connectional in nature. A side effect is a change in viewpoint towards clergy which has been reflected here. They are no longer regarded with respect, but as just another employee.

Threads like this are a wonderful excuse to trot out horror stories. I could share a few myself. How typical are these uncooperative ministers? Do they make up the majority of those you have to deal with? My experience is that like wedding photographers, some are great guys and some are absolute jerks. From what I've seen, the ratio is about the same in the two groups.

BTW, I rarely if ever shot at a new venue without speaking to the officiant well beforehand. I'd try to make it face to face, I felt I could better serve my customer if I knew the lay of the land before the wedding day. I found a respectful, professional attitude garnered trust and often lead to a more lenient photography attitude.

Doug



Jul 09, 2008 at 08:24 AM
tomKphoto
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #13 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


> It has been suggested that the B&G changes churches

It's not uncommon to shoot a couple that's "borrowing" a church that's in their faith, but is a prettier church on the other side of town. They bring their own officiant from their church, and all of a sudden, ALL of the rules go out the window. The church will shrug and say it's up to the visiting priest. The priest will shrug and say, "whatever they do here."

At that point, I just do whatever (but I'm not one of the obnoxious ones referred to earlier). My point is, none of this is handed down from above. It's just some rule somebody made up after a bad day.



Jul 09, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Zalllon
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.4 #14 · "You will refrain from photographing ..."


dmacmillan wrote:
It was mentioned that the church belongs to those who support it. This is a fundamental change in attitude that's occurred in the last 50 years and is contributing to the downfall of mainline denominations, especially those which are connectional in nature. A side effect is a change in viewpoint towards clergy which has been reflected here. They are no longer regarded with respect, but as just another employee.


This "fundamental change" is about people wising up to the fact of the waste of money and levarage of power the church (speaking of the Catholic church ... I'm not familiar with other relgions in depth) has operated with for centuries (and that is well documented). Coming from a family that has strongly supported (and continues to do so) as well having many friendships with retired priests, learning first hand of what goes on is quite sad. Don't be fooled, the Catholic church is no different than another, self appointed, political machine.



Jul 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM
1       2       3              end




FM Forums | Wedding Photographer | Join Upload & Sell

1       2       3              end
    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account